The Top 20 Albums of the Decade (2000-2009)

Posted by Michael on January 12, 2010 under Reviews | Read the First Comment

Why are people always complaining that music isn’t as good as it used to be. I think this decade featured some very fine music. I’ve seen a lot of lists that are so indie it hurts, and a lot of albums hailed not so much because they are *enjoyable* and more because, well, they AREN’T.

My top albums of the decade are diverse, and there a couple lesser known titles, but many of those were a bit bigger across the pond. Some trends I like? A couple oldsters put out their best work in years, some new people broke innovative ground, and others bucked the system… and it made for some compelling music.

I’m actually quite anal about rating and ranking my albums. I have four categories that I rate 1-10, resulting in a possible 40 point total. The categories are: (S)ONGS – How good is the songwriting? (P)RODUCTION – How much detail, how much punch… did the producer/engineer succeed to the fullest? (M)USICIANSHIP – How is the vocal quality, instrumental players, arrangement, etc… (C)OHESIVENESS – The most subjective, does the album flow well, do the songs combine to form a whole that is greater than the sum of it’s parts?

If you like popular music, and you are unfamiliar with any of the albums I talk about, I urge you to run out right now and get it, because you’ll be in for a treat! So without any further ado, let me begin the countdown. Read more of this article »

Review – Radiohead “In Rainbows”

Posted by Michael on December 28, 2008 under Reviews | Be the First to Comment

Okay, so I’m a little late to the party on this one, but I’m not a diehard Radiohead fan, though I have enjoyed them. Their recent Best Album Grammy Nom reinterested me in this CD, and Amazon put the MP3 album on sale for $5, so… what the hey?

This is a very sophisticated album for the group. Radiohead has always been hard to categorize or describe, but the best I can say is that it combines the lush textural layers of “Kid A” with their (unique) songcraft of “OK Computer”.

I don’t know why I enjoy Radiohead when I would scoff at how pretentious someone else was trying to be doing this style of music, but thaty’s just it, somehow, they don’t come off as pretentious.

For me the real standouts come near the end of the CD, “House of Cards” is a gorgeous ballad with a Bass that seems to rattle the room, and “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” moves nicely and brings up the pace before a mellow close.

Production is great throughout, and a real treat to listen to closely on great headphones. (Like the Bose noise-reduction headphones I got for Christmas!)

Amazon.com: In Rainbows: MP3 Downloads: Radiohead.